Chapter Three - The Devil You Know
1002 Words
âť– The Morning After
Evelyn awoke in the same silk-draped bed, but something had shifted. The air was thicker, charged.
Lilith’s voice still echoed in her mind.
“You’re his curse.”
What did that mean?
She stared at her bandaged wrist and wondered not just who she was—but what.
The man she dreamed of for years had finally appeared.
A vampire prince.
And she was tied to him by something ancient… dangerous.
She rose and stepped toward the bedroom door, pulling on the oversized hoodie Magnus had left her. As she opened the door, soft voices drifted from the other end of the penthouse.
“I’m not letting her get involved,” Magnus snapped.
“She’s already involved,” Arnold replied calmly. “And Lilith just made sure of it.”
Evelyn edged closer to hear.
“Lilith’s presence always meant trouble,” Magnus growled.
“She still wants you.”
“I don’t want her.”
“You never did.”
“Exactly.”
Evelyn stepped back, heart pounding.
She wasn’t just in danger.
She was competition.
---
❖ Magnus’ Private Study – That Afternoon
The door to the study creaked open, and Evelyn peeked inside.
He was there. Alone. Staring out the window with his back to her. A painting of dominance wrapped in sorrow.
“Why do you keep avoiding me?” she asked.
He turned, startled.
“You should be resting.”
“I can’t rest. Not after what she said.”
Magnus’ jaw clenched. “Forget it. Lilith lies.”
“She said I’m your curse. What does that mean?”
He took a step forward. “It means you should stay away from me.”
“But I can’t.”
The silence stretched long between them. Finally, Magnus sighed and approached, voice soft but steady.
“There are ancient legends… about vampires born of kings. Some are said to be cursed with a blood mate who could either destroy them or awaken their true power.”
“...Which am I?” Evelyn asked.
His gaze flickered with pain.
“I don’t know. And that terrifies me.”
---
❖ Magnus’ Bedroom – That Night
The scent of old books and incense lingered in the room. He returned late, jacket soaked from rain again, only to freeze in the doorway.
Lilith was lying on his bed.
Wearing nothing but red silk.
Her silver hair cascaded across the black sheets, one leg bent, violet eyes half-lidded.
“Miss me?” she purred.
“Get out.”
She stood slowly, stalking toward him with a predator’s grace.
“We were good together once, remember? You fed from me. You trusted me.”
“I was foolish.”
“You were free.”
She pressed against him, her hands sliding up his chest. He didn’t move.
Not at first.
Her voice dropped, sultry and cruel. “You don’t need some trembling human girl. You need someone who can survive you.”
Magnus grabbed her wrist and shoved her back—hard, but not cruel.
“I need control. Something you never understood.”
Her expression turned cold. “She won’t survive you.”
“She already has.”
Lilith’s mouth twisted. “Fine. Play your little slow-burn fantasy. But don’t forget… I’ve known you since before she was born. And I always come back.”
She slipped past him like smoke, the scent of roses and iron lingering behind.
Arnold was waiting in the hall.
“She’s getting bolder,” he said.
“She’s getting desperate.”
“Should I kick her out?”
“No. Let her play her games. Just make sure Evelyn doesn’t get caught in them.”
---
❖ Evelyn’s Room – Midnight
She was waiting for him.
When he walked in, still tense from the encounter with Lilith, he found her curled up on the window seat, reading.
“I saw her leave your room,” Evelyn said, not looking up. “She’s beautiful.”
“She’s poison.”
“She loves you.”
“She doesn’t know what love is.”
Evelyn stood and faced him, vulnerability plain in her eyes. “What about you?”
He faltered.
“I don’t know how to love,” he said finally. “But I know I don’t want you hurt.”
Evelyn stepped closer. “Then stop pushing me away.”
“I have to.”
“Why?”
“Because every time I look at you, I want to lose control.”
She didn’t step back. “Then lose it.”
He inhaled sharply, trembling now, fangs pressing against his lower lip.
“I can’t.”
“You already did. That night. You fed on me.”
“And I hated myself for it.”
“I didn’t.”
That made him look up.
“I wasn’t afraid,” she whispered. “I’m still not.”
He stared at her for a long moment before brushing past her—stopping at the door.
“I enrolled you in college,” he said.
She blinked. “What?”
“You start Monday. You’ll be safe. Away from this. From… me.”
She rushed to him, grabbed his hand. “I don’t want to be away from you.”
He looked down at their hands. Her pulse. Her warmth.
“I want answers, Magnus,” she added. “I want the truth. About who I am. About this bond.”
He didn’t answer.
But he didn’t let go either.
---
❖ Lilith’s Chambers – Elsewhere
Lilith watched the city burn in the reflection of her wine glass.
Blood-red liquid swirled inside.
She raised it to her lips.
“So it begins,” she murmured.
She turned to the ornate coffin in the center of the room, trailing her fingers over the lid.
“I warned him,” she whispered. “He’ll regret choosing her.”
The lid moved slightly.
The thing inside stirred.
A storm was coming.
And Lilith had already chosen her side.
- Writer
